For good processing and milk equipment

All surfaces must be cleaned thoroughly and rinsed with water before sanitising. Treat porous surfaces with 800 ppm available chlorine solution or non porous surfaces with 200 ppm available chlorine. For optimum sanitising all surfaces should be sanitised for at least 20 minutes, after which rinsing should be undertaken. For food contact surfaces rinse with potable water.

NB: USDA rules that for fish factories up to 200 ppm available chlorine sodium hypochlorite solution may be used on edible surfaces without the need to rinse with potable water prior to processing.

Fogging of processing areas

When required fogging should be undertaken after manual cleaning and sanitising of food contact surfaces as stated above. All food products and packaging materials must be removed from the area.

Dilute Sodium Hypochlorite to between 500-1000 ppm free available chlorine and fog at a rate of
3.5 Litres per 100 cubic metres. Allow for a minimum contact time of 2 hours, prior to re-entering the treated area. Rinse down all food contact areas with potable water and allow to drain off.

Water Chlorination

For all water chlorination on farms, private or small municipal water treatment plants, Sodium Hypochlorite should be metered into the water to obtain a constant free available chlorine level between 0.1 and 0.5 ppm. A chlorine test kit from swimming pool agents is essential for daily testing if a chlorination programme is to be successful. MAF requires potable water to have at least 0.3 ppm and over 0.5 ppm for can cooling. When super-chlorination is required, then 40ppm sodium hypochlorite is used.

Haematology Labs

Where there is a risk of HIV or Hepatitis B use Sodium Hypochlorite at 50,000 ppm. Swab area thoroughly then leave 30 minutes before use.

Moss and Mould Removal

Dilute one part Sodium Hypochlorite to two parts water, apply to the surface using polyethylene or PVC equipment – a plastic watering can is ideal. Hose or water-blast off three days later.

Dilution Procedures

When possible all dilutions should be checked for the correct amount of free available chlorine prior to use. Dilute with cool water to maintain stability.

Required concentration of chlorine in ppm

Mils per litre of Sodium Hypochlorite

200

1.48 ml/L

500

3.70 ml/L

800

5.92 ml/L

1,000

7.40 ml/L

4,000

29.60 ml/L

50,000

370.00 ml/L

Specifications

Colour

Clear yellow/green liquid

Available chlorine

Greater than 135 grams per litre

Free caustic soda

8 to 12 g/litre

pH

2.5 to 13.5

Density

1.19 to 1.21 kg/L

Handling Precautions

Sodium hypochlorite is non-flammable but corrosive. Wear gloves, goggles and overalls when handling. Do not mix with other chemicals as this may release chlorine gas. Store Sodium Hypochlorite in a cool dark area away from both food stuffs and acids. Never mix with acids. Do not allow contact with met- als as corrosion will result, plus most metals catalyse the break down of sodium hypochlorite. Rinse out containers with water after use.